Thousands Say Final Farewell to Bristol’s Fallen Heroes

Tens of thousands of people paid their respects at the funeral service for Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy, two Bristol police officers who were killed in the line of duty last week.

The funeral was held at Rentschler Field at Pratt and Whitney Stadium.

DeMonte, 35, of North Haven, was a 10-and-a-half-year veteran of the Bristol Police Department. He was a school resource officer at Greene-Hills and West Bristol Schools in Bristol.

DeMonte was a father of two with a third on the way.

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Hamzy, 34, was born in Bristol and went to Bristol Eastern High School.

He was with the Bristol Police Department for eight years and served as a longtime advisor for the Bristol Police Explorer Cadet Program.

DeMonte and Hamzy were posthumously promoted. Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould held a promotion ceremony during the funeral, promoting DeMonte from sergeant to lieutenant and promoting Hamzy from officer to sergeant.

Hamzy’s family spoke during the funeral. His father spoke, then his cousin read the words Alex’s parents wrote.

"Our names are Ahmed and Selma. But if we're known for the rest of our lives, as Alex Hamzy's parents, it would be the highest honor which we could ever achieve," he said.

Hamzy had a soft spot for kids and often spoke with them about what makes our country so great. He spoke of the responsibility of being a good citizen, of giving back to the community and of being considerate.

They said he was a good role model because he practiced what he preached.

Hamzy's wife Katie spoke of her love for her husband.

"Instead of trying to find the right words to say, I'm going to read a quote," Katie said. "When I see this badge, it is not just a number. It signifies honor and it has my ultimate respect. His badge that I proudly stand behind, lies upon his chest close to his heart, because this call on his life as an officer takes heart. So while you may know my officer as a number, no. He is far more that. He is my hero, my protection."

Rev. Zachary Mabe, of Terryville Congregational Church, spoke virtually at the funeral and said Hamzy spent his whole life in Bristol.

He said that when you spend your whole life in a community, you get to know people. Hamzy recognized the names of the house he was being called to last Wednesday night and he wanted to be first, to get there and use his presence to bring calm, to bring stability to bring love, Mabe said.

He called on people to give thanks to God for these heroes and to go out into this world and love a little deeper, let go of labels that you put on people, let go of those categories that you box them into and love them.

DeMonte’s friend since childhood, Mark Ferguson, spoke during the funeral and talked about their lifelong friendship and about the love between Dustin and his wife, Laura.

He described DeMonte as everyone’s rock and vowed his family would be surrounded by love.

Another of DeMonte’s closest friends, Brian Tencza, recalled their elaborate whiffle ball games.

DeMonte, a 2005 graduate of Middletown High School, was a catcher for the baseball team, and loved the sport and the New York Yankees.

He also talked about their days at UConn and making lip-synch videos. DeMonte would later go on to be part of a Bristol police lip-synch video that went viral.

Tencza said DeMonte loved being a police officer and genuinely wanted to help people.

“He put service before self,” Tencza said.

He vowed that Laura and the DeMonte children will be looked after.

DeMonte's coworker and friend, Zachary Levine, spoke of DeMonte's great character and humor.

"For those of you who did not know him, Dustin was the best of the best. He was the most honest, kind, sincere person that you could have ever met. He genuinely cared about every person that he came across - civilians, students, family, friends and strangers," Levine said.

DeMonte’s wife, Laura, also spoke during the service.

“The kids and I are honored to call you ours. You loved us so hard and we felt that love every single day. I know you felt that love in return,” she said.

She thanked her husband for their beautiful children and the purest love.

“You will always be our hero and our angel,” she said.

Dustin loved to dance, and Laura said she and their children will keep dancing with him and for him.

Officer Alec Iurato responded to the 911 call last Wednesday night along with DeMonte and Hamzy.

Iurato, a four-year veteran of the Bristol Police Department, was also shot during the attack and he fired a single shot, killing the suspect. After going through surgery, he was released from the hospital the next day.

On Friday, Iurato walked into the stadium, bringing a flag. Despite being shot in the leg, he managed to walk without crutches.

Police Chief Gould commended Iurato's actions last Wednesday night, calling him a hero who prevented more deaths.

“Being the true hero that he is, Officer Iurato maintained courage and composure and delivered a surgical strike, which immediately stopped the act of killing,” Gould said.